How To Select the Right Camshaft For Your LS Engine in Australia

Choosing the wrong cam is the fastest way to ruin an LS build. You'll get rough idle, lost torque, and a car that drives like garbage – or worse, you'll be limited by a cam that doesn't deliver the power you're chasing. The right LS camshafts can add 30-70+ rwkw, sharpen throttle response, and give you that lumpy idle everyone recognises. 

But with dozens of grinds available, how do you pick the one that suits your LS1, LS3, or LSA?

Quick Answer

• Match cam specs to your engine's purpose (street, track, or boosted)
• Consider your transmission type and converter stall speed
• Buy from a reputable Australian supplier who understands local builds
• Factor in supporting mods – springs, lifters, pushrods, and tune
• Don't chase the biggest cam; chase the right cam for your setup

Start with Your Engine's Purpose

Before you even look at lift or duration numbers, answer this: what's the car for? A daily-driven VE Commodore and a dedicated drag LS1 need completely different LS camshaft upgrades. Street cars need strong mid-range torque and driveability below 2,500 RPM. Track cars can sacrifice low-end grunt for top-end power. If you're running a stock stall converter (2,000-2,500 RPM), you'll want a milder grind that doesn't kill your off-idle response. High-stall setups (3,000+ RPM) can handle more aggressive cams.

Naturally aspirated builds typically benefit from cams with moderate duration (220-230 degrees) and decent lift (.550-.600"). Forced induction setups – whether you're running a Harrop supercharger or turbo – generally want shorter duration with higher lift to maximise cylinder pressure without bleeding boost.

Match the Cam to Your Transmission and Converter

Your transmission dictates what you can run. A manual LS3 can handle a bigger, lumpier cam because you control the clutch engagement. Automatics with stock converters need cams that work below 2,500 RPM, or you'll hate driving it.

Planning a converter upgrade? That opens the door to more aggressive grinds that many Aussie builders run.

Don't forget your rear gear ratio either. If you're running 3.45s or lower, you need more low-end torque to get the car moving. Shorter gears (3.7+) let you run a peakier cam without sacrificing driveability.

Recommended VE–VF LS Camshaft Packages

Why Your LS Camshaft Supplier Matters

Here's what many people overlook: where you buy your LS camshaft kit matters as much as which cam you choose. A quality Australian supplier understands local builds, Commodore-specific setups, and what actually works on our roads. They'll guide you toward the right package – not just a cam, but the springs, LS7 lifters, pushrods, and hardware that match your LS engine camshaft specs.

Cheap offshore kits might save you money upfront, but when your springs fail or your lifters collapse, you're pulling the heads twice. Australia Speed sources proven components and backs them with proper technical support. We've seen too many builds go sideways because someone ordered a random cam off eBay without understanding valve train geometry or piston-to-valve clearance.

Don't Forget the Supporting Mods

An LS camshaft upgrade doesn't work in isolation. You need the right valve springs to handle the lift without float. You need quality lifters (LS7-spec is standard). You need matched-length pushrods and a proper tune. An untuned cam swap will run like rubbish and risk detonation.

Most LS camshaft packages include everything you need, but you should always verify before you buy. Budget for a dyno tune too – it's non-negotiable. A good tuner will extract every kilowatt your new cam offers while keeping your engine safe.

Get Expert Advice Before You Buy

Choosing LS camshafts isn't something you guess at. Engine combo, transmission, converter, gears, heads, and your power goals all influence the decision. Australia Speed specialises in LS performance for Aussie conditions – whether you're building a street LS1 or a boosted LS3. We'll help you select the right cam package for your exact setup, not just sell you the most expensive option.

Want to talk through your build? Get in touch with our team. We'll match you with the right LS engine camshaft setup, supply the complete kit, and point you toward trusted tuners across Australia who can finish the job properly.